Comments regarding Aloha Orchid Nursery

I too ordered two orchids late last spring, Never received, never refunded, no communication whatsoever. The Hawaiian BBB couldn't even get a response. DO NOT buy from them !!!

Posted on June 11, 2013, updated July 15, 2013
They may have changed management but their mode of operation hasn't changed. They still DO NOT respond to email nor do they send any tracking numbers.

The only difference that I see is that they will email you a confirmation but that's as far as it goes. Then you're left to wonder as to what's going on with your order.

I've ordered from these people before and have had mixed results. I am currently waiting on an order which was ordered on the 4th of June and it's now the 11. Based on their mode of operation, this is NOT a long time, but we'll see what happens in a few more days.

The last time this happened I had to threaten them with making a complaint through the atty general, and FINALLY they came through.

I have a feeling that it will eventually arrive but who knows when. I'm not saying not to order from them, but I'm saying "Be ready to endure a bit of frustration" when you do order.

Please know that I do not usually submit any reviews. However, in this case, the experience with Aloha Nursery is beyond my understanding. I ordered orchids for Mother's Day a week ahead of time on 5/5. There were two orders; one for my mom, one for my mother-in-law. The ones to my mother-in-law were never delivered. I tried to call; voicemail was full. I sent an email. Someone called during the week after Mother's Day, apologizing and saying they will get to it right away. Again, a good week passed and my mother-in-law never saw the orchids. I tried to call, no answer. I emailed. No response. Then, on 5/24 I got a cryptic email informing me that they went ahead and, without my authorization, charged my credit card for an extra $ 24 delivery fees! It does not end there - the order they referenced was the order to my mom, and not the one I was trying to get to my mother- in-law . On 5/25 I tried to contact them again: nobody at the phone, no response to another email. Today, nobody at the phones, either.
PLEASE DO NOT USE THIS MERCHANT!

I ordered orchids from Aloha Orchid Nursery on May 16, 2013. Charge hit my card same day and I opted for free 2 day delivery. I received a email confirmation, but not a tracking number. Sent three emails and at least 5 attempts to call, all but one number was disconnected. The one that was still in service rolled over to a recording "The number you have reached does not have a voice mail box set up." That was probably a cell phone. No delivery as of May 22, 2013.

The best I can tell, this company and site is a fraud. Don't waste your time.

I've asked my bank to reverse the charge and they are investigating.

I ordered Blc. Husky Boy 'Romeo' 5" pot with two or more spikes. I got two four inch pots. One plant looks like it bloomed about six months ago with no signs of spike or growth. The other plant had spent blooms beginning to fall off. Ordered and purchased from them before with mixed success. Thought that I would give them one more try since they are under new management. Unsatisfactory products. Shipping was delayed but by Aloha of Fed Ex I cannot tell.

I ordered a Phalaenopsis and a Cattalayea as a gift. The shipment arrived on time except only the Phalaenopses was in the box. When I contacted the company they said the weight of the box when shipped indicated that there were two inside. I can only assume one plant must have eaten the other and its pot in shipment. I should have heeded the warnings on Dave's Garden about this vendor.

"On Oct 17, 2012 12:58 PM, Aloha Orchid Nursery responded with:

We emailed you and stated that both plants were shipped out. Our grower even sent a premium size yellow cattleya with double budded spikes! The box weighed seven pounds and all who knows orchids know that a 4" potted Phalaenopsis does not weigh seven pounds. The Cattleya you state was missing when the package was delivered well, we emailed you and said we will file a theft claim with FedEx which we already have. Here is your case number 1017744774. If you had been patient before posting a negative feedback you would see that we are working to resolve the situation. Please keep it at a professional level, we have been packing and shipping orchids for a very long time. Mahalo and Aloha "

On July 5th I purchased 5 orchids for my wifes birthday. I requested that they be delivered between the 18th and 20th of July. With no confirmation of my request a few days later I sent a direct email to confirm they would be sent as directed. A week later still no confirmation, I sent another email and two days later finally received confirmation. The 20th of July arrived as did the orchids. They were in ok shape, only one has buds. That same day, the 20th of July, I received an email from them that they were increasing my shipping costs another $22.00 and had already billed my credit card. Yes, I have filed with my CC company and they are taking care of it. I wanted you all to know about this event. Stay away from doing business with this group.

"On Jul 24, 2012 12:36 PM, Aloha Orchid Nursery responded with:

You placed your order on July 5th. We sent you an email on July 8th stating your request can be fulfilled. How is it that lying on here will get you as a consumer anywhere? People in Hawaii are humble, and dignified. We do not lie or cheat! Reputable companies such as ours take pride in our work and do everything possible to keep our customers satisfied even if it means shipping on a requested day. All the emails you sent we responded, we never ignored you not once! As for the extra shipping cost, it is out of our control that there is a glich in the system, but professionally we informed you via email as all the customers that had been affected, and you complain? Yes your extra shipping fees will be refunded, but knowing a shipment from Hawaii to California is only going to cost $14? Seriously. "

I ordered from here prior to reading all of the posts. I ordered on a Friday and according to their website they ship out on Monday - Wednesday, so I expected a email sometime on Thursday or Friday giving me, my tracking information. Got nothing, didn't think much of it and went back on the website and ordered something else. Then the following Monday comes and still no email. So I called several times and left voice messages every time I called. I just wanted my tracking number or if it wasn't sent yet to add the newest order to my previous one. Heard nothing, then I started reading all these posts and got scared. So I called to cancel my order since I still had heard nothing from them. I still did not hear from them, so I didn't know if my order was cancelled or not. So I emailed from this site and advised them I was going to their Attorney General if I did not get a respond. Believe it or not, I did get a response. They cancelled my order, but were waiting on Discover to send them some kind of paperwork to refund my money. WHAT!!!!!!!!! That is the first I have every heard of. Usually you get a refund from who you made your purchase with. So I responded back with what paperwork. Believe it or not, they are afraid of giving a double refund, but how could that be, if they refunded my money back right away. There would never be a double refund and if so then either Discover would have seen it or I would have, but then I might move as slow as they did in response time. After dealing with them over a refund and reading about disease or dying plants, no thank you. Don't plan on every giving this company my business.

"On Jul 24, 2012 12:22 PM, Aloha Orchid Nursery responded with:

Our grower had been making preparations to your order while you were calling looking for a status of your shipment. The first call we received from you we were going to return but a few hours later you called to cancel your purchase. You did not even give us time to respond! If you had been patient as many of our repeat customers are you would have experienced the fast shipping service we provide. You then called again a third time and said you contacted your credit card company for a refund and that is exactly what they do and then the paperwork begins. There was no reason to refund you a second time since the credit card company refunds you first. We do not ship dying or diseased plants. We send out the very best orchids available and at very low prices! "

Posted on January 13, 2008, updated January 14, 2010
I doubt I'll be ordering again from this company. They have sent orchids with no tags, plants with two different tags (which turned out to be the one I didn't order); and plants that were considerably smaller than what I had ordered. They did not respond to my emails about these things. They also sent a plant that was sold as being in flower--which was not. When I contacted them (2-3 times) the response each time was that the plant was in bud--which it was not.

I have ordered every Spring and Fall for the past 6 years or so, and have had a problem in the past as well where they gave me a $5.00 credit, and I stopped ordering from them, but I tried again, everyone deserves a second chance.
On May 1st, I Ordered Orchids, they were delivered and the condition of orchids was very poor, blooms dead or dying.
All my attemps to communicate with them via e mail telephone calls, photographs were never answered.
May 6th I mailed the orchids back to them.
May 29th We had a conference call with the bank myself and Alhoa, who agreed that I returned their orchids but that their policy is not to refund ever. ( read the fine print) ( do not use your debit card)
The bank asked Aloha that due to the fact that they now have the merchandise and my money $154.39, plus the $46.00 I paid to ship the orchids back, should not at least, the plants be replaced.
Aloha promised to replace the orchids and hung up their telephone in the middle of our conversations. ( rude)
I submitted it to the BBB who are very familiar with them.
To date, I have never received any replacement orchids, and no reply to my many e mail or telephone calls. The bank did withhold $20 which is the amount they saw fit to credit me for an order of $154.39,
BEWARE, Their customer service is non-existent, you buy it dead or alive, it is yours.

I ordered 12 orchids that were to be chosen by type so they would bloom throughout the year. After I placed my order I discovered this site. Had I seen all the negative reviews I never would have ordered from Aloha Orchid Nursery. So worried I was until the package came.

They shipped the orchids promptly and they arrived with good packing. I had no damage from shipping.

My immedate concern was that some of the plants were in bud, something that shouldn't have been based on the description that each plant would be different and bloom at different times throughout the year.

I knew as soon as I saw the plants that I would have to repot them immediately -- not one or two but all 12.

I began the the repoting task -- not good with new arrivals -- but that was the only way I felt I could give them any hope of surviving. In one case two plants were in one pot. It was obvious that the smaller plant, which was rootbound from being moved from a 1.5 inch container, ws put in the larger pot just before shipping. I can only assume that was done to make the plant look better.

I've been nursing the plants back to heath, if that's possible, and out of the 12, one lost its roots from disease about a week after the plants arrived and five are blooming now -- something that shouldn't be happening. if the plants were really hand-picked so they would bloom at different times. In fact I didn[t even expect buds on any more than perhaps one.

Most plants had brown spots on some leaves so I treated them and had to remove a few.

I don't know about all their plants but the ones I received had larva rocks as its mix. It took some doing to get that off the roots without damaging them even more but great care was taken.

So I don't know what to say to others. I would not order from the nursery again and that's sad. They did such a great job of getting them to me in a timely fasion.

It costs the same to shop healthy plants as it does diseased ones. Knowing this I wonder how bad the plants they have are. Perhaps all shippers need to treat orchids before they are sent to other U.S. states, similar to what is required when they come from other countries?

On that note I'd better stop before I get myself into trouble.

I hate to think what I would have done had I ordered one or two plants. I may have been very disappointed.

No one should use price as a justification for sending out poor plants. Worse yet, any disease could end up impacting healthy plants since we don't all have the space to isolate new plants from well extablished ones. In this case I made the space.

My suggestion: Don't order from this nursery unless you order many plants and don't mind loosing some of them. If you're awaiting the arrival of several plants have clean pots with proper potting mix ready. You may need it.

Again, I stress that they advise you not to repot frshly shipped plants but it's the only way I felt I might save some.

My best,

St. Pete, FL

P.S. Does anyone have a really good orchid outlet where one can buy two dozen nice plants with no problems? I'm open for suggestions.

On March 5, 2008 I ordered a 24" potted plumeria from Aloha Orchid / a.k.a. Plumeria.info. On March 17 (some 3 day shipping!) I received a 12" plumeria packed in a soil-less mix which during shipping ripped the tiny underdeveloped roots right off. I immediately called and was told to email with pictures. I emailed pictures within an hour and then began the wait / run around. I waited a week and emailed again and called again, this time I was told they were busy but they would get to it and take care of it. Another week went by and I called and emailed again, this time I was told they were "really busy and the grower couldn't talk to me right now" and that I would receive a call or email within 2 days. You are never going to believe this - they never called or emailed! I know, hard to believe, right? Anyway, I waited another 6 days until I finally left them a nasty voicemail and just filed a complaint with the BBB. I have wasted enough of my time and money calling Hawaii and emailing, when obviously this is just a big joke to them. I wish I had read these reviews first because you can tell by the total nonsense responses by them they are full of crap. All of the people posting here having the same types of issues is just too much of a coincidence. They have a horrible rating with the BBB and have scammed plenty of people. I would attempt to dispute the charges on my card except after reading about their repeated charges when it's disputed and then blaming the bank I think I'll cut my losses so I'm not charged 3 times like the other unfortunate people here. Once was bad enough. Like other people stated here, they laugh at you on the phone and just brush you off and then never respond. They make empty promises IF you can even get them on the phone. They make it sound like they are willing to do everything to resolve the situation (especially by their pathetic comments on here - ..."you didn't even give us a chance...", etc.) but this is all lies. They will ignore you until you post public comments and then act like you're crazy and irrational. BEWARE!!!

I ordered from this company via their website in February. The "Sharry Baby" was a surprise Valentine's gift for my horticulturist/orchid enthusiast whose favorite is this variety. The shipment arrived in a timely manner, the day before Valentine's, and was packed very carefully. Imagine our disappointment a full month later when the first sign of life turned out to be yellow and brown...yikes! I emailed Aloha Orchid and again emailed with photos of the pitiful, tiny blooms that are still itsy bitty and struggling to come forth and definitely are not those of a Sharry Baby. I have had no response from these people...how I wish that I had found your site before I ordered from them. Thanks for the opportunity to vent...

About 2 months ago I ordered 9 plants from Aloha on a Friday, in time to be shipped in the next week cycle. Checked website and no shipping info. Sent email on Wed, NO response. Called on Thur. reached Mahealani (sp?). She said "a large order like mine" would take longer for "the grower" to assemble and ship. According to their website they do 3000 orders/wk.

Now comes the fun.
The next week I spoke again with Mahealani, "Guarantee order will be shipped by Wed." "Grower" will send me an email with tracking #.
Come Wed night, Calif time called again. "ORDER WAS SHIPPED". No tracking info.
On Thur eve I received an email from UPS (brown). They were scheduled to pick up the order that eve--here is tracking #.
They did pick up late Thur. eve. and shipped to their facility in Ontario Ca. THERE IT SAT FOR THE NEXT THREE DAYS.
The package arrived late Monday.
One plant was so heavily infested with scale that I immediately tossed in trash bin. One was missing, One that had blooms-they were terminally wilted, one had mealy bugs (easy to clean). The others were really stressed. After attending to the seven remaining and isolating them outside the greenhouse I AGAIN called.
Mahealani was "shocked, schocked I tell you"-(-think Sidney Greenstreet in Casablanca) and what can she do to make it "right"
She ended up crediting my CC for two plants and sending a replacement for the missing. I still need to verify the credit was done.
I then checked with the BBB and saw their unsatisfactory rating.
My personal opinion is that they are just plant brokers, have nothing to do with growing, quality control, shipping etc.

Have ordered from about 10 sources in the past 3 months. All, except Aloha, were good, some better than others.

Additionally they did not answer ANY email questions until after the order arrived and I told Mahealani I was not paying and would ship them back on her nickel.
I tried the fax # and Phone number for the "parent Co. per the BBB--ALL disconnected.

Many good and helpful suppliers out there in Hawaii--but NOT these people.
Carl

I'm the latest victim in this forum who was scammed by this business. I ordered the 4 blooming dendrobium orchids, and they shipped me 4 orchid plants with only a few tiny tiny buds. My first reaction was getting angry, but after I read the comments over here, I totally realized how malicious this business is. Their scam is well plotted, and their people have little regards to morality.

I've been in love with Hawaii and its spirit, and I feel so sad for those Hawaiian people at Aloha Orchid Nursery that turned themselves into malicious thieves. I'm sure they'll get back what they've been doing to innocent people with their deceiving way of living.

"

Dear ttnn2k
We had received an order from you for our Septemper Special!, 4 Dendrobium Orchids with a special request for one green dendrobium.

We had shipped you our Septemper Special 4 Dendrobium orchid plants all in blooming season, 1 green dendrobium with douple spikes with a frew open flowers and lots of buds, the other 3 were staged flowering cycle, 1 plant with puffy buds to open within a week, and 2 plants with tighter spikes (small buds) to open in 1-2 weeks. This is purposely done to give you months of blooming plants for your enjoyment. All with Fedex 2 Day Air for only $50. What are more do you want?.

Did you know that the shipping cost for 6 lbs to CA is about $23, with $27 left for 4 blooming plants. It takes 18 months to grow these high quality plants, not to mention the overhead costs involved, fertilizing, care, labour and to sell plants at $6.50 each is a something most nursery will DARE nNOT DO- We loose money. But but we do these different SPECIALS every month, to show our appreciation of continued business from our 25,000+ customers that we serve. We do loose money on these specials, but majority of our customers buys several hundred dollars of plants at regular retail price that will make up for the loss. Please, do not call us malicious business.

We offer true value, but it's sad to see that a few people like yourself only wants feed of us. You buy these plants at huge discounted cheap special price and demand Full Refund, and keep the plans as well. Come on, is that Fair?.

Mahealani already told you to return our plants, and we will issue Full Refund, but you still demand Full Refund and to keep the plants. Please tell me where in the world can you do such thing. Why don't you come to Hawaii and help out at the nursery, farming is very hard work. Please appreciate the plants. Aloha to you. Talei- Grower@Aloha Orchid Nursery."

Never, NEVER order from Aloha Orchid Nursery. The Better Business Bureau says "this company has an unsatisfactory record. . . . Company failed to respond to the BBB to resolve or address the complaint issues. . . . Unpursuable - The company cannot be located or is out of business."

Yet they're still selling stuff.

My sister sent me "4 Blooming Dendrobium Orchid Plants" for my birthday. When I received them, they weren't blooming, and in fact two appeared to be dying. I called and spoke to Mahehalani.

First she told me that there was absolutely no guarantee for orchid plants, even if they're already dying when they're mailed and further damaged by lousy packing.

I told her the plants clearly weren't "blooming," and she claimed "budding" was the same thing.

Realizing I was going nowhere fast, I pointed her to the "Tropical Flower Guarantee" on their website (//www.alohaorchid.com/flower_guarantee.aspx) stating "We offer 100% unconditional guarantee on all of our tropical flowers." She claimed that this doesn't apply to orchids -- which are clearly tropical flowers -- and in fact ONLY applies to anthuriums, WHICH THEY NO LONGER SELL.

Apparently, then, the guarantee doesn't apply to ANYTHING they sell.

I emailed the sales department and they confirmed what Mahehalani said: that I was stuck with ugly, dying plants.

See photos at my website -- //worldclassstupid.blogspot.com -- and decide for yourself if I've been defrauded. But please, please don't give these people your business.

"

Aloa Romani- Hans,
Please see my above postings for details about these special Sale.

The picture shows plants that are puffy buds and ready to open flower. The other are medium and tightrer flower buds. We do this purposely so that you get to enjoy the full blooming period, which usually lasts 6 weeks for dendrobium orchids. These 4 Blooming dendrobiums will bloom for the next 8 weeks easily and at $50, with delivery to New York City. This is a CRAZY deal. I'm sure you're enjoying these beautiful flowers right now, why not post an updated picture of the blooming plants instead of panicking first. Aloha to you - Talei Grower@Aloha Orchid Nursery.

Note about the BBS,

There are ocassions that we get complains from BBS. We do try our best to resolve any issue reported to the BBS, howevery, we run a small business and can not alway offer Free plants and refund full purchase price.

It seems like that there are a very few professional complainers/ artists out there that order our plants and demands full refund after receiving the plants.

Our policy request that a picture of the plant has to be emailed to us for evaluation. There a lot of fradulent claims, and for legimate claims, we do offer Free replacements dependent on each case. Damage factors and who's responsible are also considered.

There are also times when we will refuse replacement because there is no issue-

For example, 1 - a customer may complain that the is no flower, we ship healthy plants but it does not have flower because it is not blooming season yet for the particular cultivar, when the season arrives, the plant will bloom. We do not force bloom.

2 - No open flower. This is a tough one, We have orchids in all flower stages, meaning open flower, partial open flower, puffy buds that will open in a few days, medium buds that will open in a week and tight spike with small buds that will open in a few weeks. Unless you specify the type of blooming stage, we will most likely ship tight buds as they ship better and are esier to wrap for shipping. If you want open flowers, please call and let us know. We normally sell open flowers to the local market as orchids with open flowers will easily get bruised if the box is mis handled. But this flower stage is available all year round.

Anyhow, I hope this helps explains the misunderstandings.
Do not hestitate to call us, telephone number is on every page of our website, it is 808-982-7880. Mahalo & Aloha ka kou. - Talei - Grower @ Aloha Orchid Nursery.

"

I have tried to contact this company by E-mailing to this address: Sales@AlohaOrchids.Com which is listed at the Aloha Orchid Web Site, but the E-mail was returned. I don't want to spend more money making long distance telephone calls.

To Whom it May Concern,

I have contacted FedEx Express to follow up on the claim I filed. The agent I contacted couldn't find the claim so I have been issued a new claim. The numbers are10313706949 and 20313707006.

They will be contacting you.

On Friday, Nov 10, 2006 I had placed an order for flowers as a gift from my mom to her brother. Well, when I placed the order on the website, I had forgotten to fill in the area for a message on the gift card. By the way, this message area is very poorly described on the page. It says "special instructions." Does that sound like a place to enter your gift card message?

Anyway, I called the company to tell them that I wanted to add a message to go with the flowers. The guy on the phone told me to send them an email. I did. No reply. I sent another email to ask that they confirm receiving the first email. No reply. Well, I guess you know the rest. After the fifth email, I stopped.

I decided to give them a call. Maybe there was a misunderstanding. Some woman answered with a tone that sounded like I owed her money or something. After about 5 words came out of my mouth the line clicked off. She hung up on me. I called back. Guess what? I got the answering machine. Why leave a message. I know I won't get a reply.

Now, I'm worried about the flowers that they will send. It's too late now. They charged my card.

After this experience, I know that I will NEVER give my business to these people again. And, I will tell everyone I can about how I was treated. Their customer service is non-existent. So, you better not have a need to contact them for anything whatsover.

I had ordered orchids from these guys previously. The last batch, looked okay. They were from the "special sale" items, where you get 5 plants for a sale price. But, after examining, I found most of the roots dried, rotten, and black. Even if they look okay when they arrive, they will die within a short time.

I am very unhappy with my experience with this company. I placed an order online for an orchid gift and recieved an orchid completely different than the one pictured and described on the website. The orchid that I ordered that was pictured (and described) was supposed to be a mericlone, compact growing, with "striking, sunset colors of a deepening sunset" and in a decorative container. The picture on the website of the orchid did look just like the description. The orchid that I recieved was not a mericlone, was not compact growing (39 inch spike with flowers only on the end) and was a pale washed out yellow color (nothing like the picture). It also was not in a decorative container as pictured on the site. It was in a plain basket. No attempt had been made on their part to contact me to ask if a substitution could be made. When I tried to call them (during their regular business hours), they did not answer the phone. I left a message on their answering machine and they never returned my call. I also sent them an email which now over 24 hours later (on a weekday), they still have not replied to. I have done business with many online orchid and plant vendors and this is the only company I have ever had any problem with. I am particularly disturbed by their total lack of customer service. I wish that I had investigated this company prior to ordering. On the Hawaii BBB online site, they are listed as having an "unsatisfactory report", so apparently I am not the only one who has had this experience.

I ordered 3 of the "Plants in Bloom" as a trial run just to see how the plants really looked. I planned to order about 70 different blooming orchids for decoration at my wedding if they were nice. Thank goodness I checked before the wedding!!
When the plants arrived, I was shocked at the condition of the order. Only 2 of the 3 orchids I ordered were blooming and at that the blooms were of very small size. The third plant was not only NOT blooming, it was practically DEAD! The leaves were brown and yellow with mold growing on them and the roots of the white phalaenopsis orchid were a mass of brittle, brown dead twigs. Since the time these plants arrived only one is still living. I have other orchids that I have had for years, so I am not a novice with their care.
When I called the company immediately and told them the situation, they told me to take a digital picture and email it to them for their review. This was a month ago. While I have sent them numerous emails since that time asking what the status of this claim is I have yet to hear ANYTHING from them.

Their customer service is TERRIBLE and I doubt I will get my money back or any living replacements as I requested.

I've read other reviews and maybe they are good for some businesses, but I would NOT recommend them if you plan to use these " in bloom" plants for any special event where the plants need to look good; you are very likely be disappointed.

Approximately 6 months ago I purchased one of their "Blooming Plant Specials" to try them out. The plants arrived timely, in good condition, although somewhat smaller than advertised. Upon inspection of the plants I discovered one plant had a pretty serious infection of mealy bugs. I treated it (and the other two plants as a precaution) and was able to save it. I e-mailed AO to alert them to the problem, not even complaining, just making them aware, and never received a response. My conclusion is they did not care.

"

We email everyone that emails negative or positive. We were not aware the plant we shipped you had mealy bugs. You could have called us and we would have been more than happy to assist you in the necessary actions to take. "

Four orchids received. Not one of them the species ordered, but species half the price on their own website. Telephoning has no effect. Promises made are ignored. Order with a credit card and expect to challenge the charge. Bait-and-switch seems to be standard practice. Dishonest. Beware.

"

After reviewing your orders made with us, you had selected gift giving arrangements with a few varieties. Our gift giving selections are assorted plants that are shipped with the variety name. You clearly did not understand that you received free shipping fot the gift giving arrangements and a decorative basket. We do not recharge anyone but give responses to the card bank. If the transaction is in our favor payment is sent back to us. We do not want this forum to bring us bad water as we always try to come to a resolution with everyone. "

Aloha Orchids is a disaster.
On 12/12/05, I placed my Christmas order for 10 vanda orchid mericlones. The total was $250, plus 3 day Fedex shipping. My order clearly stated "No Substiututions". Per their site, each item ordered was in stock.I anticipated receipt by 12/16 per their stated shipping guarantee. Beginning on 12/16 through to 12/27, I placed a number of calls (toll, no 800 offered) regarding the status of my order. Excuses ranged from its ready to go today, to we don't have all the stock. I was told the guarantee did not apply if stock was not available.
On 12/28, I was promised (by Mahealani) that my order would be shipped as incomplete, no back order and no substitutions. I was promised a credit for the plants unavailable and the shipping difference. I was promised a statement of the transaction.
On 1/2, the order was unpacked. It contained 10 plants all with name tags of those I ordered. However, despite their promise Aloha had substituted a number of plants for those ordered. Aloha had attempted to cover that fact by tagging the substitution plants with the names of those ordered. As 3 of the substitutions were in bloom, and bore no resemblance to the catalog picture the deception by Aloha Orchids was clear. The plants ordered were all mericlones. The blooming plants should be identical to the catalog picture. There was no statement and no credit for any of this, eventhough the substitutions were inferior and of a lower value.
Aloha refuses to accept or return my telephone calls or my emails. As only 1/3 of these plants have bloomed I have no way of telling the total extent of their deception.
I suspect that most, if not all, of these plants are crap.
I have appealed to my card company for a refund.
Ed

"

At that time you continuously called us during our busiest times of the year. We had made every attempt to obtain the plants you have ordered understanding that we obtain plants from affiliate nurseries which states so on our website. We at the time could not obtain your plants in a timely manner, but was able to find an orchid source in Oahu that had your plants. Being the orchids are shipped to us in Hawaii, it takes a day or two. I was pleased to know that all your plants was available and we were able to fill your entire order.

Vanda orchids are known not to be true, especially in the first year blooming cycle. Vanda orchid flowers deepen in color over the years. The plants we post online are 25+ years old.

Please understand that we make every attempt to get your plants, and would enjoy your rave reviews. The plants at times are sold out and that will leaves us no choice but to refund you.

Please accept our sincere apologies.

Mahalo
Mahealani @ Aloha Orchid Nursery "

I have made thousands of dollars worth of purchases on the Internet, but my recent christmas gift orders at Aloha Orchid Nursery was the worst experience ever.

The plants started out nice, and were carefully packed and shipped but they all arrived damaged/killed by the cold. I ordered a $150 plant for myself. It came with all the flowers and buds frozen on all of the spikes. There was no packing slip. No care instructions. No heat pack. Not even an order number. Similar things happened to the gift plants ordered for my loved ones. In total, I spent about $300 with them.

The worst and most infuriating part of this story, however, is the complete and utter disregard of the company after the sale. I started out with nice courteous emails asking for their help, and gradually escalated to indignant comments. None of these was ever answered. So I called. Aloha Orchid has no toll free number, but I made the call to Hawaii, still assuming that perhaps they were not getting the emails, or something. This time I got through to a human, but he put me off saying he would look into it and call me back. Of course, he never did.

This company does NOT want to hear from you if there is a problem with your order. They act like they are so far away that you can't touch them. After weeks of trying to work with them, I finally got part of my money back by refusing the charge on my CC. Believe me, being in business myself, that is the last ditch solution for me.

But I want everyone to know: Be VERY careful if you are considering doing business with this company!

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We welcome all positive feedback as well as negative. We want to make things right with everyone as we are a growing business that welcome repeat business. We have given you a response through BBB and you did not respond, therefore leaving us at a stand still. Call us, we want to make things right. Thank You"

I order a Champion Red Cattleya ($40.00) +($20.00) for a classic wooden box, looked very attractive on the order page and had it delivered to my Hair Salon ( different address)
When it arrived I was very HANGRY because it was not what I order , I received a lavender cattleya with a cheap weaved basket.( I assumed , because it was going to a different address , they thought I would never know) NOT a GOOD STRATEGY AT ALL.
I called right away, was told to send e-mail with picture, I did that , one e-mail with pic. of what they send me , one e-mail with pic of what I order , and one e-mail asking if they were getting my e-mails , no response at all.
I called tree times , every time was told send e-mail , we are very busy and to be patient.
I am a avid Orchid collector could be a GREAT customer, but right now they left me with a sour taste in my mouth.
Thank you for reading my complaint
Luis DaFonseca
baluco@adelphia.net

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We would like to apologize for the wrong orchid being received. We had emailed you confirming the email with photographs were received and we were going to ship the correct plant. However you did not give us that opportunity and immediately filed a chargeback with your card bank, and obtained a full refund. We would only hope that you gave us the opportunity to solve this problem before taking the next step. We always come to a resolution in favor of the purchaser but you did not give us that chance. "

I AM AN EXPERIANCED PLUMERIA GROWER,TWO OF THE CUTTINGS WERE IN POOR CONDITION BUT I GAVE THEM A CHANCE,ONE DID NOT SURIVE. COPY OF EMAIL SENT:
PICTURES OF PLANTS WE ARE GROWING FROM SEED AND CUTTINGS,ALSO SIX OF SEVEN CUTTINGS WE BOUGHT FROM YOU.THE RED CUTTING WAS IN POOR CONDITION WHEN RECIEVED,VERY SOFT AND WRINKLED,IT NEVER PRODUCED A LEAF AND HAS EXPIRED.ALL THE OTHERS ARE DOING OK AS PICTURED.I HOPE YOU CAN REPLACE THIS CUTTING AS I WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO THE RED FLOWER.THANKS MERLE
MERLE PULLEY
152 ADAMS ARC
LIVINGSTON TX 77351
The message is ready to be sent with the following file or link attachments:
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june2004
REPLY RECIEVED
Aloha Merle,
We regret to inform you that replacements cannot be sent for the red plumeria. If the cutting was received in such a manner we do ask that a photograph and phone call be made immediately. Because the transaction is over 30 days we at this time cannot determine the cause of death to the plumeria.
Mahalo
Aloha Orchid Nursery
THEIR WARRENTY ONLY ADDRESSES DAMAGE RECIEVED IN SHIPPING,SHIPPING WAS NOT THE PROBLEM,MERLEE
THEIR WARRENTY:
Our goal is to provide only the very best quality plants, we warrant our products to be of the variety and quantity advertised.

We take extreme care in packing to ensure our plants are delivered in good condition. If you encounter damage during shipment, please take a photography and call us immediately. We will send replacement at our expense upon approval of Replacement by our Claims Department. Claims must be accompanied with proof (photograph) and made within 30 days of shipment.

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The plumeria you received was healthy, robust and ready to be planted. We provide full instructions on how to start the plumeria cuttings and to maintain them. We would have been more than happy to send you a replacement if you had contacted us when the package arrived. "